New Rome (Istanbul)

 I left Oman and flew to Istanbul. I enjoyed my time in Oman as I found the country striking and the people very welcoming, friendly and hospitable. I always felt safe and found the place very clean and generally prosperous (their housing stock is quite modern and impressive). I read they have one of the highest standards of living in the world and I believe it.  They are still good at customer service however  

Istanbul is a huge sprawling city spread out for miles on both sides of the Bosporus. It has a deep multifaceted history stretching back to antiquity and Ancient Rome and in some ways, with its long and varied history and culture, reminds one of Rome. You might say a New Rome. Oh , wait…(Constantine founded the city as New Rome circa 330 AD). 

Its 2 most famous buildings are Hagia Sofia (535 AD) and the Blue Mosque (c. 1617)  The Blue Mosque is indeed a stunning Ottoman masterpiece and must rank as one of the world’s most beautiful buildings- 

Hagia Sofia was for more than a millennium the largest church in Christendom. After the Ottoman conquest in 1453 it was converted into a Mosque and is so today  While enormous and impressive, the very extensive restoration work going on inside and out today distracts from its magnificence- 

There are a number of well preserved churches from the Byzantine era, stretching all the way back to the 6th century, including the forerunner to Hagia Sofia where I engaged in lengthy conversation with a friendly Pakistani fellow- 

I also visited the famous Grand Bazaar which seems to have gone upscale and now appears clean and well organized sort of resembling an upscale mall- 

I prefer my bazaars disheveled but if you want gold they have it - 

Like old Rome, there is a vast amount to see in Istanbul and the 3 days I spent there only allowed me to take in so much  I think at least a week is needed   You can still parts of the ancient Roman walls which defended Constantinople for over 1000 years in places-

 did spend a cold rainy morning cruising the Bosphorus- 

I was primarily struck by how narrow the straight is- no more than 1/2 mile at some spots  

The weather was unfortunately unseasonably cold while I was in Istanbul which was a shame as it is a stupendous city with so much to see. To sit in a cafe and watch the Bosphorus shipping go by on a warm day would a delight. Cheap, tho it ain’t- it cost about $60 to visit Hagia Sofia and you can buy 4 beers in Hanoi for 1 in Istanbul  

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